Mac OS 7 was a major change from the earlier System Software, introducing integrated multitasking, a revamped desktop, networking, and transitioning the name from "Macintosh System Software" To "MacOS'. It was followed by MacOS 8.x.
Running Mac OS 7.x requires a Motorola 68000 based Macintosh, a supported model of Power PC based Macintosh (7.1 or later) or one of the following emulators:
Mini vMac - Runs MacOS 1.1-7.5.5, emulates a black and white Motorola 68K based Mac Plus
Basilisk II - Runs MacOS 7.x-8.1, emulates later color Motorola 68k based Macs.
SheepShaver - Runs MacOS 7.5.2-9.0.4, emulates a Power PC based Macintosh.
Other Mac OS Versions:
| 1.x-6.x | 7.x | 8.x | 9.x | MacOS X | All |
An interim catchup release in the wake of Windows 95, bundling some extra desk accessories, more hardware support, and new APIs such as the modernized Open Transport.
Note: Some of these CD images are actually hard disk volumes. You can mount those in an emulator, or some older CD burning programs know how to write them as a CD/ISO.
7.5.5 is the last supported version on Mac Plus, XL, Mac II, IIx, LC, IIcx, and SE/30, or anything with less than 68030 and 32-bit clean ROM.